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ՀԱՅԱՍՏԱՆԻ ՀԱՆՐԱՊԵՏՈՒԹՅԱՆ ՏԱՐԱԾՔԱՅԻՆ ԿԱՌԱՎԱՐՄԱՆ ՆԱԽԱՐԱՐՈՒԹՅԱՆ

ՄԻԳՐԱՑԻՈՆ ԳՈՐԾԱԿԱԼՈՒԹՅՈՒՆ

We consider the reintegration assistance to returning nationals as one of the significant ways for combating illegal migration. The reason is that the return of illegal migrants to their countries of origin even within the framework of signed readmission agreements subsequently completes by re-emigration of these persons to the same or other countries of destination. According to the sociological survey conducted on Armenian nationals returned from Germany in 1998, after one year 92 percent of returned persons have left Armenia again. This fact has been proven by “Illegal migration and Smuggling from the Republic of Armenia” survey conducted by IOM in 2002, which recorded that many returnees try to use any possible way to go back. Hence we face a phenomenon that can be called ‘repeated migration’. One of the possibilities to solve this problem is to supplement the process of return and readmission with reintegration programmes in the countries of origin. Such programmes are especially important in terms of preventing repeated migration, as countries of origin lack necessary means on social programmes for returnees; on the other hand, there is a tight labour market in countries of origin, where labour supply many times exceeds the demand.

Also I should state that the situation in my country during last 5-6 years has changed very quickly and taking into account that many returnees living these years abroad have lost their social contacts in Armenia, then it will be clear why many of them upon return feel themselves not in a motherland.

In this regard we have good experience in Armenia. Starting from 2004 Migration Agency of the Ministry of Territorial Administration of the Republic of Armenia together with Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation implements “Return Assistance Programme for Armenian Nationals from Switzerland”. The programme objective is to arrange, in conjunction with Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, return of rejected asylum seekers of Armenian nationality from Switzerland and their subsequent reintegration in Armenia.

Programme components are:
1. Assistance in job placement;
2. Assistance in small business establishment;
3. Training courses for returnees and their family adult members;
4. Education of family minors of school age;
5. Social and psychological assistance;
6. Organization of medical examination, if necessary.

Currently 10 families (27 persons) are involved in the programme.
Taking into account that during recent years five children of school age involved in the programme were outside Armenia and had no possibility to receive proper education (some children had poor attendance or having attended school abroad have received knowledge based on standards which evidently differ from educational criteria accepted in Armenia), catch-up courses were organized for them which will allow them to attend school with the children of the same age. All efforts were done to ensure psychological treatment to them, in order the child doesn’t feel disappointment and despair.
Five families established businesses in the spheres of mushroom production, stock farm establishment, soft furniture production and trade, due to the loans they have received within the scope of the programme. Three persons were provided by a job and training courses were organized for three returnees who preferred computer operation course in order to satisfy the demands of Armenian labor market. Through establishing a viable business and appropriate employment, the returnee and his family will be able to increase their living standards and thus, confronting with the socio-economic challenges and assisting in steady return of persons.

Medical assistance was provided to five programme beneficiaries and four returnees received social assistance, particularly they got their pensions and state disability group. The enlargement of possibilities for increasing the social status of the target group will, in its turn, facilitate to minimize the possible risk of repeated migration.

Psychological assistance was provided to all the participants involved in the programme. This is explains by the fact that many returnees arrive in Armenia in the psychological stress: that is unjustified expectations, re-adaptation problems and other issues. And especially minors face such problems: several years ago they had adaptation problems abroad and now the same problems in their homeland. It is naturally that proceeding from the age peculiarities, children undergo more deeply the abrupt changes took place in their lives.

Two returnees were assisted in receiving and changing their identification documents. The acquirement of identification documents allows to exclude after return the origin of problems linked with civil and legal issues.

Dear Mr. Chairman,

On the assumption of the results of the measures carried out it can be stated that the “Return Assistance Programme for Armenian Nationals from Switzerland” is justified as an important tool for combating illegal migration. This is to certify that due to thorough reintegration activities no beneficiary returned within the scope of the programme left Armenia again.

The Poster fastened on the wall shows the history and the current developments of the programme. The TV film about the programme activities in English in DVD format as well as other information materials are available on the table.

Based on rich experience gained during the programme implementation, in 2006 the frameworks of the programme were enlarged, and Armenian nationals returning to Armenia for permanent residence from European and CIS countries, particularly from Russian Federation, whose stay was either legal or illegal in destination counties, acquired possibility to receive consultation from the Migration Agency.

Thus, currently all backgrounds for responding the urgent needs of persons returning to their homeland are created, and the conference creates good possibilities for implementing projects with other European countries concerned aimed at promoting return of Armenian nationals with unauthorized stay abroad and providing reintegration assistance to returnees in Armenia.

At the same time, “Return to Sources” project is underway from November, 2005 in partnership with National Agency for Aliens Admission and Migration by the Government of France, Armenian Association for Social Assistance (France) and French-Armenian Development Foundation (Armenia), the goal of which is to organize return of rejected asylum seekers of Armenian nationality from France and their subsequent reintegration in Armenia.